Cigar and cigarette lighter



Jan. 13, 1931. J. c. ROMBACH `CIGAR AND CIGARETTE LIGHTER Filed Feb. 15,19.28 4 Sheets-Sheet.. 1

llllllllllll IA llilllllll IIIIIIII Illini T Jan. 13, 1931. v 1, QROMBACH y 1,788,544

CIGAR AND CIGARETTE' LIGHTER Filed Feb. l5, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet..- 2

.lan. 13, 1931. J. c. RoMBAcH CIGAR AND CIGARETTE LIGHTER 4shets-sneet.. s

Filed Feb. l5, 1928 Jan. 11i,` 1931. J. cf. ROMBACH v 1,788,544

GIGAR AND CIGARETTE LIGHTER Filed Feb. l5, 1928 4 Sheets--Sheet-v 4Patented Jan. 1 3, 1931 UNlrn STATES 1,'13af54al n Jenn o. ROMBACH,orc-LENnALn, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGN'OR To LAWRENonZnVBnLL,

Y or Los ANGnLns, ,CALIFORNIA oIeAR AND CIGARETTE e LIGHTERv'Application filed February 15; 1928. Serial No. 254,460. i

i My invention isa cigar or cigarette lighter of the type having a Wickwhich becomes saturated with a `readily inflammable llquid,

- such as alcohol, and in Whicha spark is made 5 by a friction. or tiletypeofwheel actingon a Y flint, the spark igniting thepliquid fuel.

Anl object of my invention in the type of lighter above .specifieda..power-inecl1a nisni which, when liberated, actuates the ic friction`Wheel; and in this'connectiona detailed object. ofgthis feature is tohave a spring motor type of device which is always under a certaintension, but which manually `may have the'tension increased, and, after'15 such action,the spring is released and mechanically operates 'as a'springv motor to operate the friction Wheel. Y Y

Another object of my invention is having a lighter provided with a capor covertvhich i encloses the wick. This cap or cover is manually openedby a longitudinal movement of actuating mechanism contained within thelighter and operated by a button or other device extending outwardlyVfrom the lighter.

In this connection a more'detailed object is the tensioning` of .thespringy motorto give the operative tensionto Workthe friction wheel. Yf., y I

Another object of my invention is the con- .30 struction of a lighterinthe form of ak relai tively long tubular article o r casingivith theexposed wick, friction Wheel` and flint at the `Vtop, and immediatelybelow these elements therein a relatively large chamber'for theV -35liquid fuel and below ,such chamber, compertinents for theV spring motorandthe mechanism immediately connected thereto.

Relative to these features, a more detailed 'obiect of my invention isto constructlthe .40 lighter in a tubular form somewhat resem-` bling afountain pen in shapecand appearance," with the exposed part of theWick, the

. :flint and the friction Wheel housed under a foldingor hinged coverior closure, and vv/'ith the mainportion of the fluid chamber immetdiately below the exposed part of theivick i so `that there Will not bea long Wick through #which thefluid must be conducted by capil-l laryattraction to the exposed part '5o Alerter obje@ of my inveneeainlighter tacles'vvithin the main casing, to house the spring lmotor andthe operativegpartscon nectedtherevvith, this arrangement being therebymay be inserted through the bottom `of the tubular casing. And a detailobject in this feature is inhavinga removable base casing vcontainingparts of the spring motor and the elements associated therewith, this"PATENT ,QFHCEA 'O f the tyre above described is in the, comme; `7 non0f liquid-tight Compartments or recep- ,such that the motor and theshaftdriven being completely'cut olf'from the liquid ually operated buttonconstruction, automat-` icallycloses, and extinguishes the flame, theconstruction having factors to make for the Y cleanliness thereofVallowing ready filling With an kinflammable liquid but preventingleakage of such liquid. i y Y* Y AIn constructing fmy44 cigarv I' orcigarette lighter, l preferably use,Y altubular container :or housingWhichhas anvi'nner tubular compartment.' running completelytherethrough,

with an enlargement atv the bottom. v The casing has partitions ordiaphragmsat the toprand` the bottom, forming a closure, and in thevenlargement of the compartment, there is mounteda spring motor-Withshaft eXtending to the friction Wheel'abover the upper partition;lMounted in one side ofthe upper Y part ofthe casing, there is a springmounted on a'transverse pin, the Vend ofthis spring thrusting on a flintwhich is slidably mounted, the vflint bearing against the friction Wheeland being positioned to light the eX- Vposed part ofthe Wick extendingupwardly throughvthe upper partition from*v thef4 fuel chamber.. n Y Y.f

A second internal tubular passage is formed inthe main casingandthis'houses aliXedi rod *on- Which'is mounteda button type of'devicei v'entendingthrough a slot-.inthe outercasing,

`closable vcover which, on releaseof-theimanthis button type of devicebeing connected to a sleeve. Attached to the bottom oi the casing thereis a base cap 'por casing structure having a block or nut-like devicewith opposite helical threads. This block is connected by a ratchet llto'the spring motor and such block is actuated by an upward movementof thebutton device, the `sleeve connected thereto operating theyoke-engaginglthe helical threads. 'The upward movement ofthebutton also, by meansotra.r rack and pinion connected to the cover at the'top, opens suchcover and exposes thewick.`

The spring of the motor is given. an initial tension but, as abovementioned, the move ment of the button causes an vincreased ten 'lioVshowing in section the the operating button.A

sion oif this, which, onthe full movement of preferably ahalf turn, isreleasedsothat the shaft leading'to the friction wheel maybe rotated,this giving the spark, andhaving stop devices which allow the spring toreturn to its original tension. Onf'release of the button the springautomatically retracts the yoke operating the threaded block 'and alsoAretractsthe racks operating the segmental pinfion, thereby closing thecover, thus extinbe app arent las direction of the arrows.

Figure l Vis an elevation similarto Fig. V1

stantially on the line 33 of Fig. 11 in the posed. I

Figure 5 is a plan of the device taken in the directionof thearrow 5 ofFig. 1.

Figure 6 is a horizontal section onthe line 6-6 of Fig. 3 the directionof the arrows through the cap. t U l Figure 7 is a .horizontal sectionon the line 7-'.7 of in the direction of the .arrows through the upperpart of the liquid con tainer. t I f t Figure 8 isa horizontal sectionon-the line 8,-8of Fig. 3 in the direction ofthe yarrows part slightlyabove I Figure 9 is a horizontal Vsectionfon the line 9,-9 of Fig. 3 inthe direction of the arrows showing the upper part of the spring motorclutch.'-

'Fi'gure 10 ,is aV horizontal'section.on the line10j-1O of}F ig'.` 3rinfthe direction of the arrows showing an labutment bl'ocl;l in sectionwith the cover open and interior parts. ex-

'operating the flint.

and thespring motor release and the .yolre for winding the motor inplan. s

Figure 11 is a horizontalsection on the line 11-11 of Fig. 3 in thedirection of the arrows showing a section through the yoke andthethreaded block for winding theY spring motor, anda pawl forcontrolling the motor shaft, the latter being in plan.

Figure 12 is a horizontal sectienon the line 1212 of Fig. 3 in thedirectionY of the arrows illustrating the pawl and ratchet forrestraining the motion of the motor shaft.

Figure 13 isa section on the line 13 13 of Fig. Sin the direction of thearrows illustrating mainly the body of the liquid chamber with thetubular housings eiitending therethrough.

Figure lelie an elevation of a number of parte utilized in connectionwith the spring motor, these being'shown' disassembled and in somewhattheir relative position. Figure 15 is anunderneath .view of one of 14 on.the'line 15-15 of the clutches of such ligure.

Figure 16 is a plan, view of one of theY clutches of Fig. l111 on theline1616 the direction of the arrows.

Figure 17 is a vertical sectional'view simi` lar to Vthe lower sectionofFig. 2 with the parts in another position. 1 p Figure 18 is anunderneath view ot the closurecap.M Y Y 'i i Figure 19 is an'elevationof the rack for opening the cover, the cover 'being shown in partsection. Y

. Figure 20 is a plan of the rack of Fig. 19 as if taken on the line 20-20 in the, direction of the arrows. l

Figure. 21 is an elevation port andthe flint tension spring.

of` the 'Hint sup- Figure 22 is a vview oFig. 271 inthe direc- Y.

tion'of the arrow 22.

My invention utilizes what maybe termed as a main casing 11, which,torth'e most part, t is preferably cylindrical. i

partition 12 rigidly secured thereto and ,aY lower partition V13.ATh'is'casing, with thepartitions, forms a liquid-tight container except-where it has openingshereunder detailed, 1 jiior iilling and for thewick. Tl'iis' casing structure, it will be noted, is connected to thevlupper partition in arecessed port-ion 14 4and 'iitsvagainst an annularv,Shoulder -15 on the .lower lpartition 13. (NotefFig. 3). At the-120wardly extending walls 16 vand 17'which are joined together and theupper partition has a upper portion this casing has radially insegmentalsection 18 cut out, conformingto these walls, (note Figs. 7 and 2) thisbeing to of lthe spring for i 1,25'

allow housing and.V action On one side, the casing n p l1hasanlinwa-rdly i Y, depressed section 19 which is formed concentricwith the main outer portion and has shoulders 20`on each side `(noteFigs.'7 ad) i130 mesita-4 ln this portion there Vis alsoa recess 21..which is; formed by" a; pair of* parallelv inwardly extending walls 22,with anV inner wall 23.

These are'connected'to, the outward part of the wall 19 by ashelf-lilre,structure24 and 25 at the top` and bottom ofthe recess (noteFigs. `@and 3j). Y Y

VA tubular cover sleeve 3()V fits over the upper part of the casing 11and this has a. slot 31 formed in one side, there being a ring 32 ithreaded on the lower end of the cover sleeve.

The upper part of the sleeve has a lower and an upper bead 33 and 341pressedtherein, the upper bead extending completely around the sleeveI`the lower bead-'terminating at theslot 31. The upper part of the sleeve.has the cover Li5, this cover havinga diametrically positioned hinge 46with a lifting coversection 47 connected tothe stationary section 48 bysuch hinge (notev Figs. 2, 3 and 5.) vThe `space 49 in the cover abovethev partition 12 isto accommodate theupper upart of the'iiint carryingdevice, the friction 'wheel and" the exposed part ofthe wick, ashereunder outlined. V .At the bottom ofvthe device there is afbottompartition 50 which ishel'dto the partition 1-3 byv bolts 51, these boltsbeing attached into the partition 13 and having lnuts Vbelow the partion5'0". The boltsare preferably shouldered'to hold the partition50proper`ly spaced from the partition 13. In the drawings there arethree of these bolts illustrated" (noteFi'gs.

2, 3 and 9.) `Apbottom housing 52, preferably..

formedV with'cylindrical side walls, fits over the flange 53 of thepartition: 13 and has a closed lower end 54', thisrhonsing preferablybeing held' in place by ascrew 55 threaded intothe bottoni partition 50.The space56in the Vbottoni housing accommodates various `elernentsxofthe spring motor actuating Aand e top thereof, the shaft having anenlargement or a bushing (tforiningl a journal section at the top. Thefriction wheel fpreferably rests on the .shoulder on theitop ofthe shaft62 and'bearsA also, if desired, 'on l@he Upper edge of the tube 60 (noteFig), .,'l,`his,shaft extends downwardly and Qurnaled .fat its lower end65 inthe bottoni partitioiifO.. The enlarged tubular section forms themain housing for the spring motor, hereunder-detailed.

A` second tube fis connected to lower `partition Vlvlandy extendsupwardly, `,being @Quimica tothe their 24; Ywhich formsgthe lower wallofiy the recess y21 (note tone partition 50 and 4at .its upper end tothe,

shelf 25 at the top of the recess .21. VA slid` extends through thistube Y ing. sleeve 72 is mounted on the rod 71 tting; n

freely inside Vof the` tube 70 and this sleeve has a button structure,designated generally Vby thefnumeral 73, secured thereto at the top.C

This sleeve extends into the recess21 so that" '1 .the yinner part ofthe button operates in such recess. ,The` lower -part of the sleeve isconneet-ed to' an operating yoke designated genverally by` thenumeral74. A longn coiledyo spring; 75fiits outside ofthe sleeve ,72. andIbears at-itsfu-pperend against the shelf 24; and vits lower end againstthe: yoke 74. The function ofthisspring is set` forth hereunder.

The liquid fuel, which is preferably highlyf,

inflammable, --is filled yinto thel liquid `chain -j berthrough anopening'S'Q-in the vupper part ofthe casing 21between thebeads' and 34.Fitted between these beads there is a clampingspring 81havingkaresilient sealing strip, 82 mountedl therein; This clamping "spring lts@111.1583 spaced apart substantially f the y. width ofthe slot 31 sothat the button 73 may slide-upwardly between these jends and when thisclamping spring isturned so that the endev register-'with the opening80, the 1 lia id uelfmay be poured" in the Casing l1, andinorder tosea-.l this opening, the clampspring isthen shifted's ofthatfthe vendsregister with the slot 31. v'The center part'of;v

this Spring lwith the sealing-medium@ then maintains@ liquidi-tightclosure at the Ore ma-Q.-

The mechanism forf `'open'ingr the yliftingcoversection 4:7 issubstantiallyv as follows r, VThis .is accomplished by thevinanual'manipul` lation of the button 7 8, such button having ak finger griplrnurled .portion y55 which has 86at-thebottorn.extending downwardlyover theportion of thelcasingll abovethee ring 32; and also has a rib 87at'the top with afliogllow.,'sectionv 88 behind the finger grip andbehind.therijby 87. `There is a shoulder 89 on the back ofthelfingerbutton 3 which,V functions n as hereunder ,mentioned The rib,

`87A in its, upward movement is adapted to extend over the portion 9 0of thecovler sleeve 30;4v above vthe slot 31. y

yA rack. structure, designated generally by the numeral 91,1is providedwithv a pair of raclrbars -93 at the top, joined by a cross bar 9a, andhaving adownwardly extending web (Note Figs.y 4f

95 with an inwardlyand an outwardly turned "i flange V96 and 97", theinwardly 'turnedflange- .961having an aperture 98 therethrough to slideon the rod 71.rv The flange97 is engaged I by the shoulder 89 on theback ofthe button in the upward movement of the button when `it. ismanually pressed upwardly, this` giving-v `Va certain lostmotiomthe'nlifting the rack.r

This rack is formed with the cross bar24 and 4the rack armsY93b'entarcnate, as Yiifidi'cated by the numeral 99. Thisarcuate-'portion fits between the depressed section 19 ofthe casing 11an d the upper portin 90 of thesleeve"30,

(Figs. and 8) this'accuratelyfguidingithe rack construction.V f

- rlhel racl; teeth 100 `mesh with the'rack teeth Y 101 on the segmentalpinionf102"secured -to l the under side of the'hinged liftingcover sec--tion 47 so that in the upward Ymoveir'i'e'nt of the racl: bar,the'hmged 'section 1s openand 1V turned completely back on'thestationary section 48.1' 'A small coiled spring103 is placed' on theinside of thecover and has its ends 104 sliding inV on the botto'mpartof the stationary section-4 8 and the lifting section 47of the cover.this action j keeping thecover snugly closed and` giving .positiveY-tension to hold thecoverin closedposition. The downward lis wound on thesleeve 7 2. v The"mounti'ng of the flintlisl substantially 'pull'lto'automatically' closef the cover onrel spring whichv lea-sine; thebutton' isy by" the follows A flint holder 105 '(notefparticularlyFigs.2, 21 and 22)f has ahub n106v at the 'bottom and a shank 107 extendingupwardly fromthe hub. l-A cross piece -108'is connecte'dj to the shankand has screw holes 109 for -5 securing same to the top partition'12..As

above mentioned, there beingthe segmental out-out Y section V18V toaccommodate v'the flint l operating mechanism.k An arched cover piece110 forms a-guide 111 for the'flint 112 which is Apreferably.formedcylindrical and there -isY a- 'slot 113 leading into this guidewaytof'accommodatek the upper end of the springl lTheY spring'ha's'apressing sectionf`114 which extends fthroughthe slot'113 and bears onthe back of the flint. There is a coiled section '115V wound `on thehub-.106. A curved section"Y l116 irtends'fupwardly from the Vcoil andis adapted to bear-outwardly against the upper portion of'thesleevel()substantially atth'e portion between the two beads 33-and Aninwardly'extendingarm 11.7 hasv at fits end a cross piece 118fwith a'rearward'bend '1119?this being adapted'to contact with the inner',walll' of thejcasing 11,'itbeing noted lth'at thei wall '17:' together`with the wall7f16`V friction ,wheel 63 inthief operation of such' l; Y.wheel, l f

(noteFig. 7) forms a segmental spaceto accommodate the'flint operatinginechanisinin the npper'part of the casingl Y the covervsleeve "30. rlheflin tion to ,bear against VandY be act is in the .posiedupon'by thevThe spring motor assembly 'is substantlally l as follows, havingreference f parti cu- Y larlyto Figsll2, 3. 4519, 11,112,"14,15,16 and517: An upper clutch element 120 is secured byfa pin/1121er the'lilre tothe power shaft 62., this clutch being housed in the enlargement'shait62 byay pin 137an"d this'fis and inside of` 61 of the tube 60.VThis clutch element-Elias a vsegmental lug 124 on oneside with asocket125 therein which engages a prong 126 on-the upper end of the spring127. A- lower clutch element 12S-is rotatably mounted on the'shaftsegmentalflug r129` mounted 62 and has-fa k thereon v(Figs. 9, 14,115and 16). vThe lower end of the clutchvelement'128 has tongue 129. whichfits in the jaws 136 of a. sleeve 131;

such sleeve has an upperratch'et element 132 i 'th ratchet teeth 133 andis'provided with a socket 134 to engage the lower 'prong-135 of thespring12i..y This spring is coiled on the outside of the lower clutchelement 128' and the sleeve 131. :These are in sepa-rate pieces havingthe ton'ue andthe jaw .forithe pur- C) poses'offassembly. A I l Anabutment ring/1361's. securet to fthe y K ittedin'a recess 138 .intheupper 'ratchet member 132 (note Band-14)'.`l` f` the shaft 62 and has a..recess AV141.1 on .the top to accommodate the'abutment `ring136 and`also has ratchetl 'eeth 142 to engage the vthe windingb'locl140, thesebeingy deep grooves cut therein "on oppositesides and makingsubstantially one-half vof'a complete Y`revolution from :thejbottoin tothe top of A winding block 140 is `looselymounted on` the block. Asyabove mentioned, an operating Y yeke- 74 is rigidly: secured to thesleeveq72 which ist-.raised .by the thumb operating -button Thisyokehas; yokefarms`148 with?y studs 149 lfaciriglinwardiy on eachfofthe.arms anden each of the stnds'there isaroller150 (note Figs. 10 and11);- These rollers fit in the helicalthreadsv147'.

Toce-.operate with theyoke andthe wind-i" ing bloclfthere is a sleeve151which is rotatably mounted on one ofthe VAbolt-s '51.1' This ha'sadogt 152 VVmounted on.' the top, suchdog 'having' a 4beveled end 153. Atlthe.y bottom the sleeve '.151Qfthere" is:f a pawl Y154 'which vengages.the .teeth ofthe ratchet 145, the pawl` ,being constantly p ressect'f.into f engagement vwith such ratchet wheelbjgfa coiled spring 4woundgonVthe sleeve 151,;the'lmverf end 156 .of the spring engaging the `pafwl154 andthe oppositefend '15T engaging -or being-secured Y to thebottom'hou'sing 52.

The manner ofoperationand functioning ofthe spring motoras'substantially 'as' follcws: The upper clutch element 120, the lower pclutch element t 128V,` thev sleeve '131' with the lspring'12"?"'woundon the two latter elements may be` assembled onthefshaft 62fand'thisVvshaft thrust upwardly V:tin-"ouali the intesi-6o lll() and61'--beforeattachingfthe bett-0m Yhousing*130 i The friction wheel 16,3may lthenl lbe sat1 tachedlto thctop alcove the top partition 12.5

In this assembly `may be included thel abutting ring136, the windingblock 140 and the ratchet wheel 1,45 with the spring 143( The spring 127is given an initial tension tothe desireddegree,` The pawl' 154 isconstantly forced into engagement .with the'teeth oi' the ratchet wheelY145,'thus holding the shaft 62 from rotation; and, due .to kthe initialtension of thespring 127, the lugs 'l24and 12S) are in engagement-` Itis noted that these lugsare segmental so that'when in engagenient thereis substantially a` full semi-circle to allow turningl of one, relativeto the other.

When the linger operated button@ 73 vis thrust upwardly, which action,asabove men tioned, `opens the lifting coverisection .47 by means` ofthe rack andpinion device, it also lifts theyoke 7 4 through the'vmediumof the sleeve 72. vSuch action on account of the rollers 150 on the yokearms 148 moving in the helical thread grooves 147 gives a partialrotationof the winding block 140, this being rotated substantially afull semi-circle. On account of the interengagement of the ratchet teeth133 and 142, the turning of the winding block gives a half turn to thesleeve 131 and the lower lclutchelement 128. rlhis rotates the'lower lug129 until it engagesthe opposite face of the lug 124 so that itisnormally engaged when at rest and manifestly this gives an increasedtensionto the winding of the spring 127.

lVhe'n the'yoke 74 oomesto the upper part of the winding block 140 whichisas far as it may travel on account of thelimit ofthe i movement of thefinger operating button 73,

this yoke engages the beveled ,end ,153 of thel dog 152, causing arotation thereofand a rotation of the sleeve 151. Such. actionv releasesthe dog 154 from the teeth' of the ratchet wheel 145. Therefore thesha'ft`62 is freetov rotate under the influence` of the `'spring 127 ahalf revolution or until the lugs 124 and 129 can engage. y the frictionwheel andthe giving olf of sparksV due to the contact with ltheflint,.thus igniting the liquid-inl thewick. So long as the.

thumb operating button7 3 is` retained in its upper position, `thelifting cover Section 47 is retained open and therwick will v.continueto burn as long as the operator wishes `itfor lightingacigar, cigaretteor the like. Imme-V diately, however, on releasing the operating button73, this is shifted downwardly by the action of thespring 7 5, closingthe cover, and at the `Sametime moving the yoke 74 down'- wardly, thisaction giving a reverse movement to the ratchet teethr142; hence suchreverseg ThisY brings the parts intoposition .for vthe next action doesnot shift-the sleeve 131.

operation.` It is to be noted that the friction at the next movement therotation is contin- Such action causes the rotation of 4,ned-,sothat-,theivvheel acts evenly V012th@flint,, and' being 51151601110lequel: wear von its whole periphery.` i

Thea/,ick ielexeridslupwadiy airugh a ferrule .161 in the top partitionV12 andhas an eXpOSed .end `L62 which becomes ignited, by

the sparksnfrom theflint. The wickniay be made of any suitable materialsuch as asbestos and, following/the 4fi is1i a l practice, the

space inthe liquid chamber is lpreferably packed with cotton or otherabsorbentlt will be noted that although the device may he made `163,mountedon the cover sleeve 30, which maybe utilized to hold the devicethe pocketsin the manner similar to a fountain pen.,V It will be seen bytheconstruction and layout of my Vinvent-ion that, the deviceV is sim-yvcomparatively small, substantially the size ilar in shape to the usualfountain penand it may belmade ofsubstantiallythe same size as thestandard pens now on the market.l This vgives aaconstruction which iseasily carried andof aldesirable shape to handle. A

,It willihe, noted that a-` charactertistic feature `of my invention isthat .the rdevice'may.

be taken from the pocket,.and'nianipulated by the thumb for one of the yfingers, this opening the cover-and givingV the additional tension tothespring andralso releasing the, spring motor to actuate the sparkproducing mecha-` nism., Thisfignition. ofthe spark is quite in-vdependent tof` any direct `manual, manipulation not thefintwheel, 'butity is den entirely- Vthrough the spring. motorfwhich may hema-in-y.tained at a vtension to aotuate the -,friction wheel, atitsbesteiiiciency.All.. l l

Another characteristic featureof my in` ventionjs theclosure,oftheicover and eX- tinguisihing of the-flame by such closure.This is doneautolnatically on thefrelease. ofthe button 7 3 by the thumbor finger, as the'spring V75 controls this 'actiongalsothe spring 75re-sets thethreaded block by, lowering this toV kthe `bottom of thedevice,whence itis in position for the next operation.

AIt will benoted that the'construction kof my lightenisl ofasuch acharacter, that the parts maybe readily assembledand disassembled `whendesired. As. thef bottom `housing 52, is

removable, it allows for the ready insertion s,

ofthe main parts of theA spring motor andthe inspectionanfd adjusting of`these parts when Y necessary. llherefore,althongh` the various elementsImust Abe madequite small toiit ina structure lofthe size desired,nevertheless, on L" i.

account ofg theefacilities .for assembling, `ad- )usting and repairingtheA small size o is no y i particular; disadvantage. ,Various othercon` wheel at each operation is partlyrotatedand" veniences andimprovements of my invention above description together with thedrawings..

l`Some of the' detail-features of my inven-V` tion which are ofimportance involvejthe factor. that the flint does not require adjust--inent, but is continually moved against the friction wheel untilthis'is `practically used up. Also the friction wheel rotates in thesame direction with no reverse action.

`Therefore at each movement of this wheel, i

it lis* functioning to createV a spark to light" the Wiclr,and there Visno wear onv the iiint on account of any reverse action.

Another characteristic feature of my in-Y vention 4is 'that themechanism" for' actually operating the friction wheelis mounted incontrolled by the spring and soV designed to he at its maximumefficiency in each operation. y

v Another feature of my invention is that the spring motor arrangement-for controlling the friction wheel is normally in an inoperativecondition, that is, when the lighter is ordinarily carried in the pocketyor ina handbag, there is no danger of the device fio 'f operated.

operating and igniting the Wick, as this can onlv be .done when thebutton ismanually Various changes may be made Vinthe prin ciples of myinvention without departing fromthe spirit thereof, as set forth in thedescription, drawings and claims.

I claim: y 1 f 1. AV lighter comprising in combination al tubular casingstructure with a chamber therein for liquid fuel, a wick extending -intosaid chamber and havinglan ignitiblevend at one end of the casing, aflint and a friction wheel positioned adjacent said ignitible part ofthewick, aA compartment in the casing below and cutoff from the liquid fuelcham` ber and having a spring motor mountedf therein, a shaft extendingfrom the motor through the fuel chamber to the friction wheel, aslidable device havinga manually; operable element extending outsideofthecasing, said device giving the motor-a tension andreleasing Ysuchmotor, and means to limit the operationof themotor. Y

2. A lighter, 'as claimed claim' l, theV manually operable Yelementcomprising a finger engaging button mounted to slide in recess in thecasing, a sleeve connected to said button slidable on a rod, and meanson the sleevel to tension the vsaid spring.

3. A lighter comprising in vcombination an elongated tubular casingstructure having a partition at the top Nwith an ignitible wick therebeing an elongated 'liquid chamber in the said casing, a tubularstructure extendL ing throughV the casing from end to end'and having-"a1shaft mounted therein connected to the friction wheel, aspring motorlmounted in said tubular structure andl connected tothe shaft, asecond.Y tubular structure ex- `tending longitudinally through thecasing' `75,;

and having a motor tensioning.4 and release device 'operabletherethrough, said tension# ing and release device-having a. manuallyoperable element extendingV outwardly through the casing.

di. rilighter coniprising'in combination tubular casing structiurehavinga partitionA at the top and bottom, there being-anupper recess andalower recess inthe-sides of the` casing, a'fimt holder and actuating'spring mounted in the upper recess, a'flint in such holder above the p.tition,a` frictionwheel, a mel; extending tnroughthe upper parti tion, a`manually operabledevice slidably l mountedl in' thelower recess, vafirst tubular structure extending through-the' casing between-thepartitions and housing partof a spring motor, a'shaftidriventhereby,suchshaft being connected tothefriction wheel,

a secondtubular structureextending from the lower partition to the lowerrecess, and

means forming an operable lconnection from' :the manually operabledevice to wind and between the manually operable device and the springmotorY mounted therein.

6.' A'lighter, as claimed injclaim'ha coverr casing secured totheupper-part of the tubu lar casingstructure, a cover securedto trie coversleeve, and means vto openy and close? part of the cover on the movementofthel `lmanually operable device. A

j 7. fr lighter comprisingV in combination 'a tubular casing structurehaving 'a Vpartition attheA top and bottom, there being an upper and alower recess in the sides of the casing,

a flint holder andan actuating springmount- Ved in the upper recess, aflint in said'holder,

a friction Wheel above the top partition,'ja

`of a' spring motor Vmounted .therein the lower part-,of suchr tube, asecond tube exe il tending through the casing 'fromvthe bottonipartition tothe lower recess, a rod extending through the"secondltubeand having a sleeve mounted, thereon, a slidingbutton mounted lll metenon the rod and Vsliding in the lowerrecess,`

a drive shaft extending from the bottoni housing through the rst tubeand connected to the friction wheel, a threaded block rotatably mountedon said shaft, a yolreconiiected from the sleeve to rotate said block,means actuated by the block to wind the lspring, motor on slidingmovement ofthe button,`

and means controlled by the yokev to release theshaft and allowactuationof the friction wheel.

`8. A lighter, as claimed in claim?, the means controlled by the yokecomprising a dog connected to a rotatable sleeve in the bottoni housing,said dog being engaged by the yoke when in its upper position, and apawl connected tol .the sleeve engaging a ratchet on the shaft, said,pawl beingl disengaged by the movement of the dog.

9. A lighter, as claimed in claim 7, the means controlled by the yokecomprising .a dog connected to a rotatable sleeve in the bottonihousing, said dog being' engaged by the yoke when in V'its upperposition, a pawl connected to the sleeve engaging a ratchet on theshaft, saidV pawl being disengaged by the movement of the dog, an upperclutch element mounted on a shaft, a lower clutch element forming partof the spring motor, said clutch elements allowing a predeterminedunwinding of the spring on release by the pawl. Y

10. In a lighter, a tubular casing with a liquid fuel chamber therein, afriction wheel, a` flint and the exposed part of a wick at one endv ofthe casing, a shaft connected to the friction wheel extending throughthe casing and having an upper clutch element connectedV there- Y to, alower clutch element rotatably mounted on the shaft, said clutchelements having interengaging lugs to allow relative movement, a ratchetelement operatively connected to the lower clutch element, a coiledspring interconnecting the ratchet element and the upper clutch element,a threaded winding bloclr rotatably mountedV on the` shaft` and having'ratchet teeth to engage the teeth of the rachet element, the said springbeing under an initial tension, a manually operableL device mounted onthe casing to rotate the winding block and increase the tension of thespring, means controlled by the manually operable device to release theshaft and allow rotation thereof, such rotation being limited by thesaid clutch elements, and a restraining device for the shaft. Y

11. ln a lighter, a tubular casing having a flint, a friction wheel vandthe exposed part of a wick at oneend, a cover sleeve over the upper partof the casing and having a'cover, part of such cover being movable andhaving' segmental gears mounted thereon, a button slidably movable in aslot in the cover sleeve and rack bars connected to the button to slide;V therewith and actuate the segmental gears to openfaiid``close ythecover, and rotational` button. l Y l 112. In Va lighter, a-casing havinga liquid fuel chamber tlicreima flint, a friction wheel andthe exposedpart of awick at one end of the casing, a shaft connected to thefriction wheelA a spring motor having one part connected to the shaftand another part rotatably mounted thereon, a winding device mountedrotatably on the shaft to increase the tensionof the spring of themotor,a restraining device for the shaft, means to actua'te the winding deviceand to release the restraining device and to return such wind-y ingdevice to such initialpositiom-the said -v-ineans for nthe frictionwheel, said means be- `Sing controlled by 'the movement' of the shaftand friction wheel being always drivenV in one direction. f

13. In a lighter, a casing having a liquid fuel chamber, a Hint, afriction device and the exposed part of a wiclr at one end of thecasing, said casing having an aperature ad-` jacent the top for fillingwith liquid fuel, and a stopper device in the form of a split ring,saidring encircling the casing and slidable thcreabout.Y said ring inone position forming a closure for the said opening and in 'anotherposition exposing said opening for filling the casing with liquid fuel.V

14. A lighter comprising in combination a tubular housing structurehaving a wick at i the top, a flint and a friction wheel, a rotaryspring motorloca'ted at the bottom of the housing, a shaft' extendingfrom the motor tothe friction wheel, an intermediate chainber above thespring motor for liquid fuel, the wick extending therein, a manuallyoperable slidable device extending partly outside of the housing tobeengaged by the finger, the said device'in one direction of movementwinding the spring of the motor and releasing same to operate the'Yfriction wheel, and

means to stop the motor after a predetermined movement. i

15. A lighter comprising in combination a tubular housing structurehaving an' upper partition with a wick extending therethrough, a flintand avfriction wheel above the' partition, a cover 'cap' above thepartition, alower partition, a spring motor located mainly below saidlower partition, a

connecting the slidable device with the motor totension the motor in onedirection of movekUl ' name -to thisrspeciication.

nientof theV slidable device, the moveient of Y 'said slidabie devicereleasing the motorv for opera-tion, and means to stop the motor afterva predetermined movement.

In testimony whereof` I Vhave signed iny JOHN o. RoMBAoi.

